PNP on the lookout for retaliatory attacks in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Security is tight in Zamboanga City after the Philippine National Police (PNP) is on the lookout for possible retaliatory threats from the rouge rebel forces sympathetic to fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari, an official said. 

Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Police Regional Office 9 director, said the deployment is part of their security plan outlined to address and anticipate a possible brewing threat.

To ensure a maximum security level, additional combat police forces from the Regional Public Safety Battalionand many of its units from the neighboring provinces in Zamboanga peninsula were pulled out and were re-deployed in many strategic locations in this city.

Vaño declined to make public the number of police forces deployed citing security concerns but assured it is enough to achieve the maximum security needed for the city that went under attack three months ago from the MNLF Misuari-faction.

“Zamboanga City can no longer take another one (attack),” Vaño said when asked by newsmen of any present threat from the rebel group following reports on plans to rescue those detained rebels who participated the siege.

“We have not received such information but we are seriously considering this threat. We have maximized the deployment of the security forces to ensure no stone is left unturned,” Vaño added. 

Vaño said they also received directives that all police forces will not be observing the rotational break during the Yuletide and New Year’s holiday.

“All PNP personnel shall be all on the street and we are on full alert,” Vaño said. 

The Task Force Zamboanga also doubled its deployment of its security troops to complement the presence of the police forces, according to its commander Col. Andrelino Colina. 

Both police and military officials said security forces will be deployed in vital installations and public places of convergence. 

Vaño said route safety marshals will be deployed to address cases of highway robbery in the region.

He said the security set-up adopted in this city until the perceived threat will be thwarted.